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At Wednesday evening’s Save Ice Mountain public forum, the opposition to Gamesa’s proposed 10 to 15 turbine wind farm on Tyrone Borough’s watershed property on Ice Mountain, presented information on the potential negative environmental impacts of wind turbines and Gamesa Energy USA’s questionable construction methods and siting.
The forum speakers talked about wind power generation in Pennsylvania, along with wildlife and water resource impacts a wind farm on Ice Mountain could have.
Gamesa Project Developer Josh Framel stated that the opposition to the Sandy Ridge Wind Farm, which includes the borough’s proposed site, still has misconceptions about the clean energy project.
“It’s even more disappointing that the opposition continue to paint the project as an instrument of wildlife and resource destruction,” said Framel. “The characterization is way off-base.”
According to Gamesa’s 20-year operation record, the company has built more than 33,500 turbine blades and helped to develop hundreds of wind farms worldwide; and boasts a superior record for operational performance. Last year, Gamesa was selected to join the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which lists 318 of the leading companies based on economics, social and environmental criteria. Only the top 10 percent of 2,500 eligible companies worldwide are selected to join the index.
Framel said that Gamesa is using the same “careful” approach at its proposed Sandy Ridge project. He stated that the Ice Mountain site contains “excellent sustained winds to produce clean electricity,” adding that Gamesa understands the effects of development and takes care to work in the most environmentally sound manner.
“The area is remote and located a good distance away from homes, and the work can be done with minimal disturbances to habitat or wildlife and could result in actual improvement to the watershed and forest,” said Framel.
He added, “There are existing roads that enable access, and nearby transmission lines to connect to the grid where the electricity can be fed. Repairs to existing roads actually will help to reduce erosion and sedimentation, and all but a 15-foot-wide gravel portion of roadway will be replanted with a wildlife-friendly seed mixture to protect the state’s rich hunting traditions.”
Gamesa states that the clearing around each turbine is only 0.8 acres, which would minimize impacts to the surrounding forest. Framel said the entire project incorporates nine miles of existing roads and only five miles of new road.
Residents near the Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm have recently come to Tyrone to talk about the noise issue that they have fell victim to, but Framel said that the turbines for Tyrone aren’t even located within the borough limits. Gamesa stated that the company has conducted several sound surveys and noise assessments in and around the Sandy Ridge project area.
“Pre-existing background sound levels were recorded at various locations near the site, and the assessment found no adverse noise impact,” said Framel. “Sound was modeled as coming downwind from each turbine in every direction at once, and conservative modeling was implemented to actually overestimate project sound.”
Being that Tyrone’s proposed wind farm site is on its watershed property, impacts on the borough’s water quality is a big reason why some people oppose the project, but Gamesa says there is no science to back up the claims of adversely impacting the water quality.
Framel noted that Gamesa’s Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm currently operates in an “exceptional value” watershed without any effect on streams in Cambria County, adding that part of the wind farm is located on Portage Municipal Water Authority property with no impacts on the creeks there either.
“An independent hydrological engineer testified that Gamesa’s best management practices at the proposed Shaffer Mountain Wind Farm in Somerset and Bedford counties would bring a net benefit to water quality and groundwater availability post construction, partly because of our approach to installation that includes fixing existing roads,” added Framel.
Gamesa states that wind farms are not industrial developments. The Blair County Conservation Plan includes a section on development, which states: “Working with environmental consultants, developers can consider options for development that add value and protect key resources.”
“The benefits a wind farm can bring make this a reasonably and appropriate development for the area,” said Framel. He cited that Tyrone Borough’s forester reported that revenue generated from the lease agreement could be used to improve the forest area by addressing other problems on the watershed property.
Gamesa also feels that the proposed Ice Mountain site can avoid conflicts with birds. Kim Van Fleet addressed some of the bird issues at the public forum Wednesday. Framel says the National Audubon Society, citing links to global warming, states that at least 20 percent of plant and animal species assessed so far are likely to be at greater risk of extinction if increases in global average temperature exceeds 2.7 to 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
“National environmental protection laws apply to all wind projects,” said Framel. “Pennsylvania has another layer of consultation and review by wildlife agencies. Avian surveys are coordinated with and reviewed by the PA Game Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”
“These safeguards ensure that impacts remain low and wind energy is developed responsibly,” added Framel.
Gamesa feels the environmental and economic benefits of wind for communities like Tyrone are “indisputable.” With the lease the borough is considering presently, once the wind farm is fully operational, Tyrone would receive $7,000 per wind turbine on its property for the next 30 years. The guaranteed minimum would be between $70,000 and $105,000 annually, which the borough can use any way it chooses for the benefit of the community.
“Gamesa has a real stake in how it performs in the communities we operate,” said Framel. “We’re more than a company that develops wind farms; we’re a local business that employs more than 350 people in the Laurel Highlands and Allegheny Mountain regions.”
He added, “The fact is that in a little more than three years, Gamesa has invested $175 million in Pennsylvania and created 1,260 jobs statewide.”

(Editor’s note: This series of articles highlighting the main characters and other aspects of the musical will appear in future editions of The Daily Herald.) The students of Tyrone Area High School are working hard for their upcoming musical production, “West Side Story”, which is scheduled for April 25-26 beginning at 7:30 p.m. both evenings in the high school auditorium. Set on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Tony, who belongs to the white gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the rival Puerto Rican gang. Eleventh grader, Derik Cruz, plays the character of Bernardo. Derik’s school activities include POPS and Concert Choir. His future plans include going to school for a business degree and maybe something involved in music as well. Derik said about his participation in the musical, “I’m having a good time with my friends and know I’m going to be a part of a great show.” Derik would like to thank Mrs. Young for the opportunity of performing in the musical, and he would also like to thank his friend, Garrett, for encouraging and believing in him. The cast of “West Side Story” also includes: The Jets: Riff, Tyler Ayres; Tony, Jonathan Harris; Action, Garrett Ray; A-Rab, Ethan Nulton; Baby John, Rob Marlett; SnowBoy, Chris Sipe; Big Deal, Jared Shaffer; Diesel, Nick Wilson; Gee-Tar, RJ Beck; Mouthpiece, Josh Bradley; Moose, Brock Anders; Graziella, Emily Wilson; Velma, Casey Joniello; Minnie, Holli Keeley; Clarice, Eugenia Napadensky; Pauline, Alexis Henderson; Mary Ann, Christina Brisbin; Veronica, Veronica Detwiler, Betty, Wynter Nail and Anybody’s, Elizabeth Romano. The Sharks: Bernardo, Derik Cruz; Maria, Sofia Revolorio; Anita, Stevie Woodring; Chino, Tyler Vasbinder; Indio, Logan Harper; Luis, Dan Isenberg; Juan, Sam Yeaton; Toro, Kevin Seiner; Manuel, Kenny Nearhoof; Loco, Dudley McNitt; Pablo, Jay Oliver; Rosalia, Cristina Rodriguez; Consuello, Laura Thompson; Terrista, Christi Stringer; Francisca, Salena Bradigan; Estella, Katie Spangler; Margarita, Rebecca Meyer; Adriana, Ashton Snyder and Louisa, Hanna Biddle. The Adults: Officer Krupke, Officer Bub Dick; Lieutenant Shrank, David Rutter; Glad Hand, Ken Nearhoof and Doc, Cummins McNitt. Drama/stage manager is Stephanie Haid, drama director is Karen Volpe, music director is Catherine Young, choreographer is Tara Penick and set design is Eric Feather and Don Deitz. Tickets are now available at the main office or by calling 684-4240 ext. 3700.

Saturday evening, April 19 will see yet another great entertainer being brought back to life on the Tyrone Area High School auditorium stage.
The great stand-up comedy antics of none other than Rodney Dangerfield will bring laughter and memories to this year’s seventh annual Tyrone-Snyder Township Public Library Concert.
A very talented young man by the name of Dave Zoran will be delivering a great impersonator show featuring Rodney Dangerfield and the act that made him a comedic hit for so many years.
Dave Zoran is a graduate of Wayne State University with a degree in radio-television and film. He is honored to have been a part of the Marconi Award-winning Dick Purtan Show since 1992. In 2007, Purtan was inducted into the national Association of Broadcasting’s Hall of Fame.
Dave has performed many impersonations on stage throughout the years. Some of the most notable are Rodney Dangerfield, Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Regis Philbin, Jack Nicholson, Robin Williams, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Jesse Jackson, Walter Cronkite and Tom Brokaw, to name a few.
Dave is also a winner of a national “CableAce” award for excellence in sports coverage, and has been a play-by-play announcer since 1984, for college and high school football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer and boxing.
One of Dave’s great thrills was being able to do his Rodney Dangerfield impersonation to none other than Rodney Dangerfield himself in Las Vegas. “After it was over, Rodney came up to me and said, ‘Not bad at all kid, good luck to you,’” shared Dave.
‘We are extremely pleased to have Dave join us for this year’s concert. We tried to take a step out of the box we have operated in these past six years by bringing in professional and high quality impersonators,” said library concert chairman, Chuck Banas. “People say they think it is going to be a nice change, and I have assured them that next year we will again be returning to what we have done best for the first six years with a national headlining group highlighting our show. April 19 will be a new experience and actually bring a bit of Vegas to us here in Tyrone. I know that everyone is going to have a terrific evening.”
This year’s concert is set for Saturday evening, April 19 at the Tyrone Area High School auditorium stage. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will start promptly at 7 p.m. The evening will feature some unique and quality door prizes and a few raffle awarded items as well.
Tickets for the concert are still available at the following ticket locations: Bressler’s Food Mart and Sports, Kopp Drug and the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library, all located in Tyrone. Tickets may also be purchased or ordered over the telephone by calling a special ticket order phone line at 682-1017.
This year’s annual concert event now has the audience being able to imagine Cher, Buddy Holly, Gene Pitney and Rodney Dangerfield all spending a great time with scores of fun right here in Tyrone.
Next week, The Daily Herald will be featuring this year’s concert headline performer.
In addition, the Herald has also discovered that in two weeks from Saturday, a special announcement concerning this year’s show will be made.
It looks like the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library concert series has scored yet another major win for the library and the Tyrone area community.

The Tyrone Area Community Organization’s annual Easter Egg Hunt has again been rescheduled, due to weather.
The hunt will now take place Saturday, April 5 at 4 p.m. at Reservoir Park.
Last week, the Easter Egg Hunt had to be postponed at the last minute due to the amount of snow the area received Saturday morning. This time the hunt has been rescheduled because of the rain. Even if it doesn’t rain, the ground would be too wet and muddy to hold a fun hunt for area children.
This annual tradition is a an exciting time for the kids, so postponing it won’t matter as they will still get a chance to participate in the egg hunt!
If the weather should be uncooperative again, watch for an announcement in The Daily Herald or tune into WTRN 1340 AM.

Waiting Tyrone’s top duo in rebounding, Nate Dane (23) and Steve Catich (3) wait for the ball. During the 2007-08 season, Catich was first in scoring (626 points) and rebounding (250) and Dane was second in rebounding (167) and scoring (282). (The Daily Herald/Mary Michaels)

What a great season for Tyrone boy’s basketball this year, as the Eagles managed to pull a 360º turnaround from last season. The boys finished with a 23-6 record on the year and finished second in the district. The season ended at Clarion University by Northeast, but the ride was so much fun. It is time to look back and remember everything.
Tyrone started out a little rocky against Huntingdon on opening night in Tyrone, as the Eagles were held to their lowest total of the season, 35 points. The Bearcats beat the Eagles handily, 53-35 and held Steve Catich to just 11 points.
From here, the Eagles bounced back dramatically, as they would win their next six games by an average margin of 21 points. Tyrone put up 68 points a game in those six wins, but were quickly shot back down in the Bishop Guilfoyle Christmas tournament, losing 60-45 to the Marauders.
After snapping their six-game win streak, Tyrone jumped back to their winning ways as they took down the next 12 out of 13 games, including a 10-game winning streak that lasted the entire month of January.
The Eagles looked at an impressive 18-3 record, as they went 12-1 through the month of January, keeping them well atop the division in the MAC. With just three games remaining, Tyrone had to take down Indian Valley, Penns Valley and Philipsburg-Oceola for the overall MAC title.
On February 4th, 2008, Tyrone traveled to Indian Valley where the Eagles lost by three points and their shot at the MAC title. However, the Eagles remained undefeated in the Nittany division since Indian Valley and Huntingdon were both in a separate division.
Tyrone needed to win the next two games for an unbeaten record within the division, and they did exactly that, beating Philipsburg and Penns Valley. The Eagles had the number one seed going into the district playoffs where they awaited a play-in game between Bellwood-Antis and United.
United beat Bellwood to challenge the top contenders, and after trailing 3-0, Tyrone pulled off an outstanding 30-2 run, crushing United, 66-48. The Eagles led as much as 35 points in the game and once again Tyrone was led by Catich with 21 points.
Tyrone traveled to Hollidaysburg to face Penns Valley in the second round match-up, but Tyrone handled this team well throughout the season, so this game shouldn’t have been a problem. Well, a slow start from both teams left the game 18-14 at halftime, but Tyrone managed to outscore the Rams, 33-16 in the second half in their rout to a 53-30 win.
The win put Tyrone in the district six championship where the story came down to a one versus two match-up between the Eagles and Bishop McCort. The match-up was expected since these teams played such a tough schedule and both handled it with ease.
Tyrone jumped out early, going ahead 12-4, but after a 13-5 run, the game was tied at 17 after one. McCort took an early lead in the second, and never looked back. The game was as close as three points in the fourth, but Tyrone never made up the difference as they placed second behind Bishop McCort.
The Eagles entered the state playoffs with a 22-5 record as they faced a streaky Bishop Canevin team that came from the WPIAL. Now everyone knows how tough the WPIAL is, so Tyrone took nothing for granted.
It was all Tyrone for the most part as they kept a 10-point lead through two quarters of action. Tyrone managed to get on top 45-25 at one point in the third quarter, but Canevin quickly climbed back, as they busted off a 16-2 run to cut the lead to 47-41. With little time remaining in the game, Tyrone hit clutch free throws, and broke the backcourt pressure. The Eagles managed and pulled off a 60-47 victory as they headed to the second round of the state playoffs.
Tyrone had their match-up of the season as they took on a 26-1 Northeast Grape Pickers squad that had crushed teams throughout their great run. The Eagles were not fazed by the record and jumped out to an early 12-4 lead, but a last second buzzer shot cut it to 12-7 after one period. Tyrone did not score for the first few minutes in the second. This caused a 11-0 run by Northeast before Tyrone could manage to score.
The Eagles knocked down the last six points to take a 22-21 lead at halftime, as they were playing one of the best games this year has brought to Tyrone.
After getting behind 37-29 after three-quarters, Tyrone fought back and knotted the game up at 41 behind two clutch free throws from Matt Brooks. He was also a key piece to their puzzle this season as the senior finished third in scoring for Tyrone behind Nate Dane and Catich.
With a 41-41 tie, Northeast quickly took a 46-41 lead behind two Tyrone turnovers. Tyrone answered with a Kyle Updyke trey, cutting it to 46-44 with under one minute to go in the game. Tyrone was clutch, but could not manage to cut the four-point lead in the end, losing 50-46 in their last game.
The Eagles finished with an outstanding 23-6 record, and swept every team except Huntingdon and Indian Valley this season. They even beat Penns Valley three times, but more impressive, they had almost eight deep to play with and had no intentions of losing at any point to anyone.
This was one of the most impressive seasons in Tyrone boys basketball history, and one of the highest scoring outputs for one year as a team.
Tyrone averaged 62 points per game and gave up 49 points a contest. The average victory was 13 points, which is an amazing margin of victory for an entire year. Catich led Tyrone in scoring with 626 points, and averaged 21.6 points a game. Dane, Brooks and Updyke each scored over 200 points on the season.
Brandon Gehret led Tyrone in assists with 137 and tied Catich in steals with 61. He was the senior point guard that kept them going through the playoffs with some clutch shooting down the stretch of the season.
Catich, Brooks, Gehret and Johnny Franco all finished their senior seasons on a high, winning 23 games and proving that Tyrone basketball was not a flaw as was once said early in the season. The Eagles defied all odds and made it to the second round of the state playoffs for just the second time in school history (Mike Harris 2001-02).
Catich scored 1,000 points for his career and placed his name on the record list of the few who have accomplished this achievement. He led Tyrone for the past few years in scoring and turned on the jets in his final year with hard work and dedication to his team. He was the leader and was the heart behind this giant. He will be greatly missed by his fellow teammates as well as the other three seniors who carried this squad through thick and thin. Catich managed to lead Tyrone in scoring for 24 of their 29 games this season. If that tells you anything, this kid can play.
A great season to remember, but all seasons come to an end someway, somehow. Congratulations to Tyrone and their spectacular year!